Certain Scottish ethnic groups 'face greater risk of heart disease'

Scottish people have some of the highest rates of heart attacks in the world, but a new study has revealed that certain ethnic groups face a greater risk of poor heart health than others.

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh looked at census data on ethnicity and NHS data on hospital discharges and deaths.

They found that Scots of Pakistani origin are 50 per cent more likely to be admitted to hospital with angina than those of Indian origin, and twice as likely to be admitted with chest pain as white Scots.

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Scottish people of Indian origin were also found to be 40 per cent more likely to be admitted than those of white Scottish ethnicity.

In contrast, Chinese people in Scotland are a third less likely to be admitted than white Scots, and three times less likely to be admitted than those of Pakistani origin.

The researchers, whose findings are published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, said that the differences are likely to be linked to lifestyle.

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Professor Raj Bhopal, from the university's Centre for Population Health Sciences, said: 'Scots have among the highest rates of heart attacks in the world, but we have shown that, among residents of Scotland, those of Pakistani origin followed by those of Indian origin have beaten them.'

The professor added that people in Scotland have 'something to learn' from the Chinese population, who enjoy low rates of heart disease.

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